Baseball: Rutgers Takes Game Two
March 29, 2008 05:32 PM | General
March 29, 2008
BOX SCORE
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Leading 2-0, Rutgers used a six-run seventh inning to take an eight-run lead, cruising to a 8-2 victory over West Virginia, and taking the series, today, at Bainton Field in Piscataway, N.J.
Rutgers (8-13, 2-3 BIG EAST) collected eight runs on nine hits and committed one error, while the Mountaineers (19-6, 3-2 BIG EAST) finished with two runs on nine hits and committed two errors.
The Mountaineers were led by juniors Justin Parks and Joe Agreste, who finished with two hits and one run each. Senior Tyler Kuhn recorded two hits and one RBI to aid the WVU offense.
Freshman Jaren Matthews led the Rutgers attack with two hits, four RBIs, and scoring two runs. Teammate Donny Callahan finished with three hits and one RBI.
Rutgers’ Matt Giannini (1-3) earned his first win of the season, allowing one run on seven hits, striking out six and walking three in 7.2 innings. Sophomore Stephen Morrison (4-1) dropped his first decision of the season, allowing six runs on six hits, striking out three and walking three in 6.2 innings of work.
The Scarlet Knights scored one in the third and sixth, taking a 2-0 lead. Callahan singled, advanced on a throwing error and scored off of a wild pitch from Morrison in the third.
In the sixth, Matthews hit a home run over the right field fence, doubling Rutgers’ lead, 4-0.
The Scarlet Knights widened their lead in the seventh inning, scoring six more runs to extent their lead to 8-0. Callahan hit an RBI double to plate Brett Garlick, who singled and advanced on an infield single. Dan Betteridge then hit an RBI double to left field to score Callahan.
The scoring continued when Matthews hit a three-RBI double to right field, driving in Jon Gossard, Tom Edwards and Betteridge. Jarred Jimenez then drove in Matthews on an RBI single to right field to close the inning.
The Mountaineers answered with a run in back-to-back innings in the eighth and ninth. Parks singled, advanced on a passed ball, moved to third on relief pitcher Jason Downey’s balk and scored on a fielder’s choice.
In the ninth, Agreste singled to center field, advanced on Chris Enourato’s walk and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Parks. Tyler Kuhn then hit an RBI single through the right side to plate Agreste, cutting Rutgers’ lead 8-2, the final margin.
The final game of the three-game series will be held, Sunday, March 29, at Bainton Field. First pitch is at 1 p.m
